JAMMU: Drugs and Food Organization, Jammu and Kashmir, in coordination with Directorate of Health Services, Jammu, on Tuesday organised an awareness programme on Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra here at Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar.
State Drugs Controller J&K, Lotika Khajuria was the chief guest and Dr Renu Sharma, Director Health Services Jammu was the guest of honour.
Among others present were Dr, J.P Singh, Chief Medical Officer, Jammu; Poornima Kaboo, Deputy Drugs Controller ( I&L) Dr Indra Bhatyal; Medical Superintendent of Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, Jammu; Dr Dara Singh, Medical Superintendent SMGS, Jammu; Dr Harbaskh Singh Government Hospital Sarwal, Jammu; Chest & Diseases Hospital, Dr Chalotra Super Speciality Hospital Jammu; Block Medical Officers of all the Hospitals of Jammu District , Drugs Control Officers, Representatives of Jan Aushadi Kendras attended the said programme.
The programme was organised by the DFO Jammu as its endeavour to achieve the objective of ensuring availability of quality generic medicines at affordable price to all. The mega awareness program was conducted under the supervision of Mohammad Iqbal Palla, Assistant Drug Controller, Jammu and Surinder Mohan, ADC; (HQ) J and K & State Project Coordinator for Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana Dr Rifat Jan.
Speaking on the occasion, the State Drug Controller informed that the prime objective of the awareness program was to inform and provide access to the poor to affordable medicines so that they may not lose their lives because of lack of medicines”. She said with this aim the Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been planned across J&K UT. She emphasised that this flagship program should reach the common man so that they may be able to reap the benefits of the scheme. She reiterated that the Jan Aushadhi medicines are of equitable quality, purity & strength in comparison to branded medicines shall be available at lower rates to the general public.
Earlier, Doctors & Drug Control Officers took a pledge to facilitate the percolation of the benefits of the scheme to masses to lessen their burden /expenditure on medicines.
Under the scheme, dedicated outlets known as Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened to provide generic medicines at affordable rates with quality and efficiency at par with branded medicine.
It was impressed upon the Doctors to prescribe medicine available at Jan Aushadhi Kendra as it will benefit more marginalized and underprivileged families.
Dr Rakesh Verma, Senior Physician; Dr Sanjeet Parihar, ENT Specialist of Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, Jammu and Dr Soodan of Soodan Heart Care Centre, Jammu also spoke on the occasion. They said that the medicine in Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra are available at affordable rates for general public and this schemes has benefited many people and there is a need to open more Jan Aushadhi Pharmacies in other areas of the Jammu
Among others, State Project Coordinator/Nodal Officer for Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBI) , Chief Medical Officer, Jammu, Medical Superintendents, Block Medical Officers , Deputy Drugs Controller,Assistant Controller Drugs Jammu,Doctors, Drugs Control Officers , Students, Patients and Pharmacists attended the programme.

KR Desk